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faith healing

1. the treatment of physical or psychological illness by means of religious practices, such as prayer or “laying on of hands.” Adherents hold that this may be effective even when those being prayed for have no knowledge of the fact and no belief in the process themselves. Also called faith cure; religious healing; spiritual healing.

2. any form of unorthodox medical treatment whose efficacy is said to depend upon the patient’s faith in the healer or the healing process (see placebo effect). In such cases, any beneficial effects may be attributed to a psychosomatic process rather than a paranormal or supernatural one. See also mental healing; psychic healing.

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Psychology term of the day

May 3rd 2024

behavioral consultation

behavioral consultation

1. indirect problem-solving services provided to an individual or organization by a specialized consultant utilizing behavior theory.

2. in school psychology, a model developed in the 1970s by U.S. educational psychologist John R. Bergan (1931–  ) to address academic, social, or behavioral problems in students. The model combines applied behavior analysis with a step-by-step problem-solving approach to develop interventions and evaluate outcomes. The interventions are provided indirectly by a consulting school psychologist to a consultee—that is, to a teacher or other school professional—who directly applies them to students in need. A widely used adaptation of the model, conjoint behavioral consultation, was developed by U.S. educational psychologists Susan M. Sheridan (1960–  ) and Thomas R. Kratochwill. It engages both teachers and parents collaboratively as consultees in the problem-solving process, with the guidance and support of a consulting school psychologist. See also mental health consultation.